The 2017 MLS season is rapidly approaching with preseason camp slated to begin this January. Minnesota United is preparing its roster for the inaugural season and to help populate that roster, MNUFC is participating in several draft events. These drafts each serve a unique purpose and involve different groups of players that can help build a well-rounded team.
EXPANSION DRAFT
DATE: Tuesday, Dec. 13
MNUFC PICK: Second
OVERVIEW: The Expansion Draft allows new expansion clubs to add current MLS players.
HOW IT WORKS: All existing MLS teams have the ability to select 11 players to protect, the rest of their players – excluding Homegrown players who are not on the Senior roster and non-graduated Generation Adidas players – are fair game for either Atlanta or Minnesota to select. Free Agents are also available for selection. The draft is five rounds, with Atlanta and Minnesota alternating picks. Only one player can be taken from each team during the draft. For example, if Minnesota selects a player from Columbus, then neither team can select another Columbus player. The Expansion Draft allows new clubs to add a core group of veterans that they can build a team around.
WAIVER DRAFT
DATE: Thursday, Dec. 15
MNUFC PICK: Twenty-first
OVERVIEW: Teams select players who have been waived by their clubs and are not eligible for the Re-Entry Draft or Free Agency.
HOW IT WORKS: Each team will have the option to select from a pool of players that will be released the day before the draft. If a team selects a player, they must make the player a genuine offer. Not every team elects to make a selection in the draft. In the 2015 Waiver Draft, only one team claimed a player with Colorado Rapids scooping up former Seattle Sounder Michael Azira. Players who are not selected in the draft are available to all clubs on a first come, first served basis. This draft is one of the first opportunities for teams to pick up players with experience in the league.
RE-ENTRY DRAFT
DATE: Friday, Dec. 16 and Thursday, Dec. 22
MNUFC PICK: Twenty-first
OVERVIEW: Teams select players who are out of contract or had their options declined by their current clubs. The process is fairly similar to an entry draft, such as the SuperDraft, but for players already signed by the league.
HOW IT WORKS: To be eligible for selection, a player must meet one of three criteria: are at least 23 years old with a minimum three years in MLS, are at least 25 years old with a minimum four years in MLS, or a Free Agent electing to participate. Over two stages, teams can either pass or pick a player. Teams are allowed to select players until they elect to pass. If they elect to pass, they will no longer participate in that stage. If a team selects a player, they will have to either pick up that players’ option or make a new contract offer to the player. If an agreement between a player and team cannot be made, the team will have the first right of refusal for that player. Much like the Waiver Draft, only a handful of players are selected, with many clubs choosing not to make any selections. Players who are not selected in the draft are available to all clubs on a first come, first served basis. Much like the Waiver Draft, teams are able to pick up veteran players from around the league to build their squad for next season.
SUPERDRAFT
DATE: Friday, Jan. 13
MNUFC PICK: First
OVERVIEW: The traditional entry draft for MLS clubs. Operates in a similar fashion to drafts in other North American sports leagues.
HOW IT WORKS: Teams select players that have either come through the U.S. collegiate system or have signed a contract with MLS. The order is determined by how the teams finished last season, with expansion clubs picking first and the MLS Cup champion picking last. The order repeats for four rounds, but can change due to trades made during the draft or throughout previous seasons. Outside of Homegrown players, the SuperDraft is one of the best ways for teams to sign young talent to build for the future or to find the next superstar. All eyes will be on the Loons this draft, as they have the number one pick with host of talented players in the draft pool.
